Accelerated dry-pipe valve



Jngne 24, 1930. -w. B. GRIFFITH ACCELERATED DRY PIPE VALVE Filed Dec.' 1s. 1927 z sheets-sheet' 1 l Flai.

mn 4 N rf m Ma* W Q M June 24, 1930.

w. lafGRlr-'i-*rn-Hv I ACCLERATED DRY PIPE VALVE Filed D'ec. l1s. 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Ffa W/LL//qM B. @Kliff/TH n Patented June 24, 1930 WILLIAM B, GRIFFITH, orI A-U-DUBON, NEW-JERSEY, AssIeNoR. '11o` STAR. SPRINKLER n CoRrona'rIomQA CORPORATION or NEW .runs-E res Parser y ACCELERATED DRY-PIPE VALVE Application filled December 13, 19275. Serial' :No.`239,644. i.

,KMy invention relates to -iIr-provementsin dry pipe valves for use ini sprinkler systems for lire protection, 'and'fparticularl'y relates y toI improvements in accelerator' for' in creasingthe speed o fbperationl of the'dry pipe lvalve when they sprinkler system isto be brought into operation.l

' lThe object of my invgentionf is-to combine the accelerator lmechanismfin-to asingle unit lio enclosedy within the' dry pipe valve casing; a further object is to 'locate the accelerator valve in the pressure chamber of the dry pipe valve and arrange thev accelerator lvalve so that it will normally rest -in the closed 125 position, thus eliminating the use of springs for holding it closed against the pressure within said pressure chamber; a furtherobject is tov mount the container for actuating the accelerator vvalve within they intermev diate chamber of the dry pipe valve; astill further object is to mount the drip valve upon the container casing; fastill" Afurther object is to make said accelerator.valve and said L container readily" removable from thel dry pipev val-ve casing' for inspecting and-repairing the same; v'and a'; still further Objectis to detachably associate the accelerator valve and thexcontainer when in ythe "operative position, so thate'ither maybe removed independently of Ythe other".y These together with various other novel features of construction and arrangement of the parts, which will be 'more fully hereinafter described and claimed, constitute my invention.

Referring to thefaccompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 isa vertical central sectional view offa dry pipe'valve embodying' my invention, showing the acceleratorvalve in'fthe'closed position; Fig. 2v is a transverse` section on 40 line 2 2, Fig. 1, showing the accelerator valve in the open position; and Fig.Av y3ds a horizontal section on linef, 1, ln the drawings,'in whic'hflike reference Acharacters referto like parts,"1 represents la dry pipe valve coniprising ay casing 2 having the'usual inletpipe 8 with a 5 surrounding 'the same, and Yan outlet pipe .6, lthus forming a passageway through the casing2. l' "f 'Y l The casing 2 is provided with webs 7, 8" and @finally the pressure in the chamber14 tends to 'force it "closed upon theseat 22. Meana water valve seat '9, uponwhichlis formed the air valve seat 10,- upon.v which'- any air clapper 12 is adapted toclose, as shown in Fig. 1, thus forming an air pressure chamber 14 above thev clapper and said webs. An intermediate or'neu'tr'al chamber 15 is formed below' the clapper 12, lwhich is separated from` tliechamber 14 by said2 webs. v 'f The air clapper 1'2 carries aV water clapper 18 and holdsthe latter -ufp'on the seat 5 against afrelative'ly higher water pressure in the inlet y pipe by4 the action of a lower air pressure in the lpressure chamber 14, whichiis mailntained throughout thel sprinkler system in a manner wellflinowninthe art. When the Vaifr pressure in thesystem is reduced :bythe opening of' a sprinklerliead (not shown in the drawings) 'the'air' slowly escapes through the sprinkler yhead until Vthe pressure above the 'cl'apper' 12 is reduced SuHcientl'y to allow the waterfinthe inlet :pipe` 3? t0` forge Said clappers,open,'gallowingthe waterl to pass th-rough'the system. l n p l The present' invention consists of improvements in the mechanismk for reducing the 'timey required forthev airand water clappers "to open lwhenV the system openedvandfthe,

air pressure -reducedbelow a certain' point. The horizontal web Tof the casing is pro'- vided with an openingy or passageway 20 'which is 'surroundedby a sleeve' 21, forming a valve s'ea'ft 22 which is located in thepres-l surfe chamber l14. An accelerator4 valve 23 is also'located within'the'chamber' 14 and rests uponfsaid seatf22 bygravity,

more l fullyy hereinafter described, areV provided for Opening-aware, 22 'upon a. Sudden vreduction of pressure 'in the chamber 14, al-

lowing the pressuretojpass into the rintermediate "chamber v15` and,k .act ,upon the under side of thel clapper i12, thusas-sistingi opening" the latter.

Located within the.intermdaaiehamber 15" is the container 25 formedby aJcasi-ng'r26 which Aextends"intolthe' intermediate chamber i l'and securedgby'y afflange' 29, jupon the fouterportion. of' "'the'g'container casing'. 26,A Awhich flange*k overlaps the facing surface'fBO formed upon the outside of the casing 2,`to which facing V30 the flange 29 is detachably secured by fastening devices 31. V

The container casing 26 forms a pressure retaining chamber 28, communicating'with the system at a point above the air clapper 12,

by a pipe 32. Said pipe 32'connects the chamber 28 with a slow leak devicer33, which in turn is connected through a pipe 34 with the pressure chamber 14. Said slow leak de-Y vice 33 consists of a part 35 having a minute'- aperture 36, through which the air slowly passes to normally maintain pressure in chambers 14 and 28.

pressure an equal `into the Iintermediate chamber and act upon the under side or the air clapper 12,

thus assisting inthe initial opening movement of the clappers 12 and 18, y The container casing 26 is provided with i an opening 40 which is closedrbya flexible diaphragm 41. Upon the diaphragm 41 `is adjustably mounted a rod 42. Said rod 42 is positioned immediately below theV valve stem 45 carried yby the accelerator valve 23.

I Said rod 42 is adapted to lift vthe valve v23 when the pressure inthe chamber 14 is sud'- Y ing the valve 23. By providing said enlargedde nly reduced below the `pressure in the con-` tainer chamber 28, thus causing the dia-V phragm-41 to be `forced outwardly by -the greater pressure in the chamber 28.

The valve stem is provided with -anen-V vlarged head 46, against the under surfaceV of which the rod'42 is adaptedto ypress for lifthead 46 upon the stem-45, the necessity oft maintaining therods 42 and the stem 45 in exact vertical alignment is avoided.y e

Yce

. Thecasing 2 is Vprovided with a removable plug 48, having a depending Vsleeve 49 in whichvthe upper end ofthe stem 4 5is loosely guided. TheV lower end of said-stem is provided' with afspider 50 `adapted-to slide loosely in' the sleeve 21. The Aaccelerator valve 23 maybe'readily insertedor removed through theV opening `formed in the casing-for theplug48. .f

By detachably ssociating'; the rods42 and 4.5` eitherfthe accelerator valve 23 or the container 25l may beremoved independently, ot

the other, thus greatlyfacilitatinginlthe repairing.V and adjusting ofthe parts. y :,Dry VVpipe valves are ,provided free to drainv from the intermediate chamber y15.. In? the presentfinvention av novel 'form and Varra'n'gem'ent:ofY drip valve 52 is -provided. Said Vdr 1p"valve 52- is mounted upon lfemovalilewith thecontainer casing26.

Upon a sudden reduction of pressure in chamber 14V lshoulders 62 on the yoke being provided for l wrthfa nor# V mallyopen drip valve throughwhich water is Said casing 26 is provided with an outlet passageway 54 Jforming a communication between the intermediate vchamber 15 and the atmosphere. A, sleeve 55 surrounds the entrance to said passageway 54 and forms a valve seat 56, against which the kdrip valve 52 isadapted to close. Said valve is ad- Vjustably mounted upon a rod 58, which in turn is mounted in a yoke 60, which surrounds the container casing 26 and is mounted upon .7

the rod 42, which latter is adapted to be lifted by the diaphragm 41 when the pressure in the i chamber 28 is greater than the pressure in chamber 14. Fig. 2 shows the yoke 60 lifted by pressure'inthe chamber 28, which action closes the drip valve 52'and simultaneously opens the accelerator valve 23. 'lhenthere is no pressure in the chamber'28 the yoke 6()v will rest upon the container casing 26, the

S5 that purpose, thus relieving'the diaphragm 41 of the weight of the yoke and alsocarrying the yoke when inserting or .removing th container 25 from the casingl 2. Y e The diaphragm 41l 's equal in area to the area ofl the accelerator valve 23, so that when the pressuresV are equalized in chambers14 and 28, the' weight otthe acceleratorvalve y23will hold it closed as shown in Fig. 1. The pressure in chamber 28 will torce the diaphragm 41 up until the rod 42 takesagainst the valve stem 45, which latterprevents further upwardgmovement of the rod 42 and yoke 60 soy longas the pressures in vchambers 14 and-28 are equal, thus holding the drip 100 valve 52 normally open., as shown in Figl.

rEhe operationV of my invention is as tollows: When-the system is vcharged the air pressure in chamber 14 holds the clappers 12 andl8 closed and also thev-accelerator valve f 23 closed. The accelerator Vvalve 23 Vholds the drip valve open,as shown in rllhe pressure lfrom chamber 14 slowly passes Y through pipe 32 into chamber 28, but will not lift the vaccelerator valvey 23 against its` weight and thek equal pressure in the chamlber '14; When the system isl opened by.` the opening of a sprinklerfhea'd, the pressure in chamber 14 will be suddenlyl reduced butthe Vpressure in chamber 2,8`is maintained bythe ria slow leak device 33v sufficiently to cause the air pressurein chamber V28Yto liftthe 'dian Vphragm 41,;and kopen the valve 23`and close the drip valve52, thus allowing the pressure :trom chamber 14 to pass through the passageway 2O into the intermediate chamber 15 and assist in opening the air clapper 12,and`thus bringing the Vsystem into operationl ,when

there is still high Yair pressure in chamber 14 and 15, and avoiding the loss ot time otherv 25 wise required ronthe'pressurestofeirhaustV though a'sprinkler head. f p Y. l p in lclaimkn, p j j j 1. A dry pipe valve comprismg aZCaSgQr`Y having inlet and an outlet passage,aw'ater .130

' chambeitand saidaj yrwhic'h the' 'clapper for clesiiig"Usz'id'V inlet passage, an air pressiire chamber withlnsfaid casing, an air clapper held 'tlre'clded positin by air pressure within saidv pressure chamber ac'l'a-ptec'l for holding' the water cl'fap'fperclosed, an intermediate chamber 'within said casing separated fromy said pressure' chamber by the air c'lapper, said casing-havinga passageway' formed therein communicating'- between said pressure and intermediate chainbersllo'cated adjac'er'it te said air' c'lapp'er, an accelerator valve located'within saidjpres'- sure' chamber' psitiened for closing' said pass'agewayA arranged lso that its penirig Inovementy is opposed the pressure within the pressure chamber, and'means actuated bya sudden reductionofpresstire inV the pressure clvlQ-Iiflbr fer" op'e'ning'- said aCceleratorA valve.

,ZA dry' pipe valvecoinprising a casing Yhaving yan inlet and 'anfoutlet passage, a water' clappe'ri for closing said inlet passage, an air pessurecliamben 'within said casing, 'an air'clapper held in ythe closed' position by air pressure within'said 'pressurefchamber adapted for holding' thewater' cli'ipper closed,

an intermediate chamber within Asaid caf'sing separated from saidpre's'sur'e 'chambe'rby the air clapper, said casing havinga'pa'ssageway formed therein commu'nicatii'ig between said pressure and intermediate chambers located adjacent to said pair` clapper, an ae'c'ele'ater `talve' vleci'tted withinr said pressure chamber psaioeea for fleeing sai-id'passagway by Athe action f gravity', aindnieians orequalizing' the airrf pilessiie ipoii ,opposite sides ci the' yafi `:`el('e"'at0r''valye O Il'O'rl'iifallfyrl'nldiiig,A the latter' closed.-` and frpeiiig the lsame 'epos a suddenradiationer prssiufe ia'said pressre chamber'. j j 8 drypipe valve Fe'inpijisingi a casing having an inlet and an. outlet passage', a ma; Clapp-ef ref ei'sig said' niet passage, air pressure c'haiiiben "said casing, an an dapper held in' the clsed psitinby pressurel- "wyitliii'i said. pressure Nchamber adapted forhl'ding the water clpplfclosed, @intermediate Chabefwi'tlin ict fg separated fm said; pressure `'Chamber' by the cla-pper, said casing havi gfaipassageway fdrmed the ein ceiiimuricatihg betvveen aia @haat-@falen .abaratar vaivegioeaea je ai@ pressa@ chamber vpasjiean@a.for aiesingg 'said 'passageway closed container chamba ,maar within-smeg intera-maia@ chamber, a cfoiinecti'i between the cntainer -i-,Sisirre` Chamber through l'c'lapper held in the closed p essure/,Inay slwly equalize, and

pcsit'io-Ii kair pressure within said pressure chamber adapted for holding the water clapper closed,

an intermediate chamber within said casing separated from said' pressure eha-mberby the air clapp'er, said `casing*hat/*ungy a passage- Way formed therein communieating` between said' chambers', an accelerator valve controlling said passageway between said chambers, a closed container located within said a `conne'ction between the container and's'aid pressure'chamber through which the'preseure' 'may slowly equalize, and a movable member actuated by pressurewithin the container `for opening thev accelerator valve wheirthe pressure in the pressure chamber:V is suddenly reduced; l i

f 5. AL dry pipe valve comprising a casing having an inlet and an outletpassagaa wate'r clapper for closing said inlet passage, an

air pressure chamber within said casing", Van

air clapper held in the c'losedpos'itionby 'air pressure withinsa'id pressure clfiar'nber adapt- I ed forholdingthe water clajlaperclosed,y an

intermediate chamber withinsaid .casing separated from said p'ij'essure.eh,amber the 'air cla'pper, said casing having a pas`s""eway formed therein cc'irimuriicat'ing betw'eeiiisaid chambers, ln accelerator valve coi'itrolllng vv'said passageway between said` chambers, a

closed container locatedv vvithiir` .said intermediate chamber, acon'nectlon between lsaid pressure chamber and thev container 'thro-ugh kwhich thep'ressur'e mayfslowlyequaliz'e, and

a movablememberH affztuat'edyA by pressure ywithin said-Contain@ foropeningfdie accelerator-'valve when tliepiessiiiie in the'I pressure chamberis suddenly 'reducetl;Yy 3 7 6, A dry pippev valve' comprisina casing having" an inlet and air outletfpas'sageg-wa'- ter' clapper for 'clsingfsaid inletpassa'ge, an air pressure chanrber` within saidf casing, an air'. clapper held in the clsed p'sitfidh b'ai'r pressujiewithin said pressure chamber adapted fo'rfholdihg the water'lapper;clsed, van

inta-'mediate cha-mbsf' f wie-'hie sae- Casin-g separated freni said pressure n air' dapper, said'casinghaving a? passageway formed therein communicating between Vsaid chambers, aii accelerate? "valve controlling saidpassagevvay between said Chambers, va closed container locatedfwithi'i the' intermediate chamber of saidcasfingsaid casing having an opening' the intermediate' chamber tllrugh which the container be readily inserted 'or' recasin'g,

ico

formatter-ein adjaeeaf 1501 moved, a ciine'ctiobetweehsaid pressure y' chamber' Vsaid container through which the pressure .may slowly equalize', and a movablejmember vactu"ated bypressu're 'withinfthe containerfor dpehirigthe, acce'ler',atoir valve l whenY the pressure" in ,theV pressure chamber is suddenly redu'c'edj l 7; dry pipe valve, c .olmpr'isjiriggV a 'casing lilVl'g inlet alla. Outlet passage, 'a Wa- `which the casing, fastening devices for detacliably se- .ter clapper'or closing said inlet passage, an

said casino an air pressure chamber wit-hin C,

air clapper held in the closed position by air pressure within said pressurechaniber adapt ed for holding the water clapper closed, an

1 intermediate chamber within said casing yiiito said intermediate chamber, a `ilange upon the outer portion of thecontainer upon latter is `supported: within the curing said flange to the casing, and a movable member actuated by pressure within the container or opening the accelerator valve when the pressure in the pressure chamber is suddently reduced. f

8. A dry pipe valve'comprising` a casing having an inlet and an outlet passage, a water clapper for closing said inlet passage, an.v

airv pressure chamber within said casing, an air clapper held in the closed position by air pressure within said pressure chamber adapted'for holding the water clapper closed, an

` intermediate chamber within said casing sep- Vclapper,

chambers, Y

yed

arated from said pressure chamber by the air said casing havinga passageway therein communicating between said lin-v accelerator valve controlling between said chambers, a

formed said passageway valve stein adjustably mounted upon the ac-V celerator valve, a closed container removably mounted within said intermediate chamber, a connection betweenv the container `and the pressure chamber thro-ugh which the pressure may slowly equalize,

and a part uponsaid member adapted to abut against said valve stem for `opening the acceleratorvalve Vwhen the -pressure in the pressureY chamber is reduced, 'whereby Vsaid container maybe readily removed from said valve stem. Y

9. VA. dry pipe vvalve'comprisingacasing having an -inlet and an'outlet passage, a wa-V ter clapper forclos'ing said inlet passage, an air Ypressure vchamber within said casing, an air clapperV held in the closed position by air pressure within said pressure `chamberadaptor holding. the water clappervclosed, an

intermediate chamber within Ysaid casing sepyarated fromsaid pressurechamber by .the air clapper,

said casing having a passageway formedtherein communicating between said chambers, "an accelerator Yvalve controlling said passageway between said chambers, a

closed container located within` said *interme a movable member upon the container actuated by pressure within theV l latter, the drip valve when diate chamber, a connection between the container and said pressure Y.chamber through which the pressure may' slowly equalize, a movable member upon said container actuated by pressure within Vthe latter Vfor opening -theaccelerator valve, a drip valve seat upon a drip i the outer. surfacey of said container, valve located within said intermediate cham-V ber adapted to close upon said drip valve seat upon said container, ysaid container having an outlet passageway formed therein communieating between the drip valve seat and the atmosphere, and means operatively associated with said movable member for closing the drip valve when the accelerator valve is` opened when .the pressure' in the pressure chamber is suddenly reduced. y,

10. A drypipe valve comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet passage, a water clapper itor'clesingI said. inlet passage, an

air pressure chamber within said casing, an

air clapper held inthe closed positionby air pressure within said pressure chamber adapt ed for holding the water clapperclosed, an intermediate chambery within said `casing separated from said pressure chamber by the air formed therein communicating between said chambers, an accelerator, valve controlling said passageway tor valve, said way forming a drip outlettrom said intermediate chamber to a point without the cas- Y a wallupon said containerseparating said drip outlet from the chamber formed within said container, a drip valve adapted for controlling said drip outlet and a yoke operatively mounted upon said movable member and embracing the container for closing the movable member is actuated to open the acceleratorvalve when the pressure in` he pressure chamber .is suddenly reduced.,` a i,

` 11. A dfylpipe valve comprising acasing having an inlet and an outlet passage, a water clapperfor closing said inletpassage, an air pressure chamber ,within-said casing, an air clapper held inthe closedkposition by air pres ing,

l sure within said pressurelchamber adapted for. holding the .waterclapper closed,"an intermediate chamber withinv said t casing .Y separated from said pressure chamber'vby the air Y separatingsaid pressure and intermediate chambers and havclapper, a web in saidcasing ing a passageway therethrough, an accelerator valve located in said pressure' chamber normally closing the passageway -insaid web, a closed container located below saidrweb, a connection between saidcontainerand said clapper, said casing having a passageway between said chambers, a closed container removably mounted within a. movable -Y member uponv said container actuated by pressure inthe latter for opening the accelera-V container having a passagek ias lSQ

pressure chamber through which the pressure may slowly equalize, a movable member upon said container actuated by pressure in the latter, a rod upon said member for opening the accelerator valve, a yoke upon said rod embracing the container, a drip valve located below the container mounted upon said yoke, and a drip valve outlet pipe forming a passageway between the intermediate chamber and the atmosphere adapted to be closed by said drip valve whentheyoke is moved to open the accelerator valve.

12. A dry pipe valve comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet passage, a water clapper for closing said inlet passage, an air pressure chamber within said casing, an air clapper held in the closed position by air pres` sure within said pressure chamber adapted for holding the water clapper closed, an intermediate chamber within said casingy sep-v arated from said pressure chamber by the air clapper, said casing having a passageway formed therein communicating between said chambers, an accelerator valve controlling said passageway between said chambers, aclosed container located within saidintermediate chamber, a connection between the container and said pressure chamber through which the pressure may slowly equalize, a movable diaphragm upon said container, a part upon said diaphragm associated with the accelerator valve for holding the diaphragm against outward movement by the pressure in the container when the pressures in the pressure chamber and the container are equal, and said diaphragm adapted for opening the accelerator valve by the pressure remaining in the container when the pressure in the pressure chamber is suddenly reduced below the pressure in the container.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH. 

